Newbie

[menomom]

Hey Everyone,

I have not been on a bike in about 30 years. I have had 4 ruptured disc, surgery and gone through menopause in the last two years. I have gained 75 pounds. I was trying to think of what would be fun way to exercise. I decide cycling would be great, I'll be outdoors enjoying the weather and hopefully get healthy. Today was the second day for me to ride my bike, mind you not very far, just back and forth on my rode. I am still having a little trouble with being wobbly and yes I have fallen several times. Are there any new riders out there who have had the same trouble. I must say if I can just ride smoothly it will be a huge improvement. I am in my 50's and need to get myself back in shape. I guess I need some encouragement, I am excited about my new bike and have these visions of myself cycling around enjoying the beauty of a park, the mountains or on vacation at the beach.

[Koronin]

Hi and welcome. I got back into cycling a little over a year ago. I'm with you on the bikes at the beach.

[Velocivixen]

Hi and welcome! You mentioned falling, and am sorry to hear that. Is your bike the right size for you? Do you have pedals where you're clipping in/out? Perhaps you could share a little about your bike, it's setup and size, and a little about your height for example. I am fairly new to riding after years off a bike and have learned a lot about the importance of bike size AND bike fit from this forum.
Keep on riding and maybe even watch some online videos if you think it would help. Things like starting & stopping, where to look, pedaling. I find these helpful to see if I could make improvements.
Have fun!

[Roadtrip]

Welcome!!! I didn't start riding until I was thirty-five. Actually, the new bike was my present to myself, a commitment of sorts. Me and the bicycle didn't exactly have a very good set of experiences as a little girl, so I swore I'd never go their again, but I kept coming back to it as some unfinished business in my life.

+1 to Velocivixen.

Shannon

[hebe]

Welcome and enjoy your riding! I learned properly at 44, after a few earlier failures. My top tip would be to ask around for a bike instructor and book a couple of sessions. Do you have a local bike shop that you trust? It might be worth popping in there with your bike and asking them to check that it's all adjusted right for you. Enjoy! Riding has completely changed my life, wholly recommended!

[Bike Writer]

Yes, I too fell a lot when I started riding again after an absence of many years. It does get better and you do stop falling, however an accident can happen and cause you to fall but the early falling from lack of balance and strength will cease. Yes it does get better.

It's said that you never forget how to ride a bike, that's true, but it does not mean that you will be any good at it in your first few attempts. It's a skill that, having lain dormant for many years, will need to be polished up again. You can do it though if you want to. I've only been back on the bike for a little over a year and you will be amazed at how far you can come and how quickly it can happen.

The falling comes from instability because you lack in strength and balance, incorrect bike size and fit can also compound the problem, so you will want to have someone in the know watch you on bike to check for fit/size.

The first time I got back on a bike I was an accident waiting to happen, I was in a parking lot with just a tiny incline and when I went down it and picked up speed I scared the bejezus out of myself! Little things like encountering another person had me in a panic. You can either do some exercises to build up your core muscles for stability or just keep riding. Eventually you will develop the needed skills.

I had a really good video for beginners for stopping and starting a bike but the link does not work anymore. This one is ok though; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Gr0-EmsHM

And Sheldon Brown's website has a whole section devoted to beginners with good articles; http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

Please don't get discouraged, keep it up!

Before you do anything else at all, give yourself a huge pat on the back for having the courage to get back on a bike! As hebe said, it can change your life so much for the better. Congratulations! and keep posting and tell us how it goes.

[Sky King]

Great job, we over 50's are taking over the biking world (ha) Couldn't help but wonder, what are you focusing on as you ride? Are you looking at your hands or your feet instead of looking ahead, remember to be focusing on something out in front of you, not your front wheel, something further away and see if that helps

[PinkOnBlue]

Great Job getting back in shape and taking control.